How to remove a video background: the 3 methods
There are really only three ways to get rid of the background behind someone in a video. They don't need the same gear or the same time. Here's how to choose.
What are the ways to remove a video background?
There are three: shoot in front of a green screen and key it out, let an AI cut out the subject, or trace the outline by hand frame by frame. The first two cover almost every need; the third is for the really tricky shots.
The main difference is when the work happens: before the shoot for a green screen, after it for AI and rotoscoping.
- Green screen (chroma key): a plain colored backdrop, removed later by your editing app.
- AI background removal: a model finds the subject and works out its edges on every frame.
- Rotoscoping: a mask drawn and adjusted by hand, frame after frame.
When is a green screen still the best choice?
A green screen is still the best choice when you can plan the shoot and you film in the same spot often. A well-lit green keys out live, with no processing, and gives clean, consistent edges.
It does need space, even lighting and a subject who isn't wearing green. The full pros and cons are in green screen vs AI.
When should you use AI background removal?
AI is the answer when the video is already shot, or when you have neither the room nor the kit for a green screen. It works on any background, as long as the subject stands out enough from what's around it.
That's what Keyotte does: you click the person or object to keep, tracking runs frame by frame, and you get the video back on a flat green background. The full method is in removing a background without a green screen.
Is manual rotoscoping still worth it?
Yes, for a few very short shots where nothing else works: glass, a subject that blends into the background, a very precise effect. It's done in editing or compositing apps with animated masks.
For a video several minutes long, it's hours of work. Most people start with AI and only touch up by hand where needed.
What do you get at the end?
Depending on the tool, you get a transparent video, a video on a plain color, or a black-and-white matte. All three do the same job: let you drop the subject onto a new background.
Keyotte exports an MP4 up to 1080p on flat green #00B140, with the sound and no watermark. That file opens everywhere; to see why it isn't a transparent file, read transparent background videos explained.
How do you choose in practice?
Ask yourself two things: is the video already shot, and how many videos do you make a month? If it's shot, you're down to AI or hand work; if you film a lot in the same place, a green screen pays for itself.
To see what AI tools actually cost, read what you really pay for video background removal.
Export price : €1.99
Remove my video backgroundFrequently asked questions
Can I remove a video background without installing software?
Yes, with an online tool that does the work on its servers, like Keyotte. You'll still need an editing app, even a free one, to place the subject on its new background.
Which method handles hair best?
A well-lit green screen is very reliable. Recent AI tools also refine edges frame by frame, hair included, but the result depends on the lighting and contrast of your footage.
Can I combine methods?
Yes. Plenty of editors cut out with AI, then fix a handful of frames with a mask in their editing app.
Does AI work on phone footage?
Yes. Well-lit phone footage shot without too much shake usually gives a good result.